Ohio lawmakers propose gutting voters’ legalization lawn

On November 7, 2023, 57% of Ohio voters approved Issue 2, an MPP-backed law legalizing cannabis for adults 21 and older. Adult-use sales began from existing medical cannabis dispensaries on August 6, 2024.

Now, lawmakers are trying to gut the voter-enacted law! On February 26, 2024, the Ohio Senate approved SB 56, which creates a minefield of re-criminalization — making it illegal to pass a joint, smoke or vape cannabis in your own backyard, possess cannabis from other states, and much more. Then, in March 2025, Rep. Brian Stewart proposed a House version of the bill that also re-criminalizes cannabis consumers for a wide array of innocent conduct. The bills make several other changes, too, including capping potency in extracts at 70% and eliminating small, level 3 growers. Meanwhile, Gov. DeWine is proposing doubling the cannabis excise tax from 10% to 20%. Let your state rep know you want them to keep their hands off the people’s law.

Voter outcry defeated a similar attempt to gut the will of the people in late 2023. But with a new legislature, and a new speaker of the House, there is a real danger that freedoms and opportunities will be eroded and cannabis taxes will dramatically increase.   

Medical Cannabis and Decriminalization in Ohio

In 2015-2016, MPP and our allies mobilized to put medical cannabis on the ballot. In response, state lawmakers passed a law to establish a medical cannabis program for Ohioans in 2016. For more information on Ohio’s medical marijuana program and access to patient forms and other resources, visit Division of Cannabis Control's website. And, for an overview of the current medical marijuana law, see this summary.

Ohio also has one of the oldest “decriminalization” laws on the books, dating back to 1975. While cannabis is now legal for adults, the “decrim” penalties continue to apply to those under 21. For minors, possessing less than 100 grams (or about 3.5 ounces), giving 20 grams or less of marijuana to another person, or growing less than 100 grams of marijuana are each considered “minor misdemeanors,” punishable by a maximum fine of $150. A minor misdemeanor is not a “jailable” offense, but a person’s driver’s license can be suspended for a period ranging from six months to five years.

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